George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill
Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
March 15 through October 31
Located on Route 235, three miles south of Mount Vernon

American Spirit

George Washington was known first and foremost as commander in chief of the Continental Army and our nation's first president. But Washington was also a successful business entrepreneur and innovative farmer.

Washington erected a large stone gristmill in 1771 to increase production of flour and cornmeal, and to be able to export high quality flour to the West Indies, England, and Europe. In 1797, Washington's Scottish farm manager James Anderson encouraged him to build a whiskey distillery adjacent to the gristmill. The distillery was the largest in America, producing 11,000 gallons of whiskey in 1799, making it one of the most successful economic enterprises at Mount Vernon.

A miller smooths corn in the Gristmill

Gristmill

A 16-foot waterwheel powers the giant gears and millstones of Washington's remarkable mill that includes the only operating Oliver Evans Automated Milling System in America. The Evans system won U.S. Patent No. 3 and helped to make the gristmill at Mount Vernon a commercial success. Demonstrations of the mill are given by millers in early-American attire. Stone ground cornmeal produced on site is available at the Gristmill Shop.

Distillery

George Washington's Distillery

Distillers demonstrate 18th-century techniques operating five copper stills, mash tubs, and a boiler in the two-story building that also includes and office and living quarters. A museum on the second floor features a History Channel video, George Washington's Liquid Gold, and an exhibit, Spirits of Independence: George Washington and the Beginnings of the American Whiskey Industry. George Washington's Distillery is the Gateway to the American Whiskey Trail.

The reconstruction of Washington's Distillery is made possible by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

Admission

Admission is just $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-11, and free for children 5 and under. When combined with Mount Vernon admission: $2 for adults, $1.50 for children ages 6-11, and free for children 5 and under.

The Gristmill Shop

The Gristmill Shop features Virginia-made jams, jellies, peanuts, teas & coffees; Private Label Mount Vernon Wines, Ciders, Ale, Root Beer, & Water; Colonial-themed Toys & Games; Children’s Books, Books about Washington, Cookbooks & Guide Books; plus a wide range of giftware including linens, pottery, glassware, china, afghans and more!  Stone ground cornmeal produced on site is also available. Open daily April through October from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily.

Need a ride?

Visitors may also board the Fairfax Connector Bus #152 in front of the Mount Vernon Inn at 42 past the hour every hour. To return to the estate, visitors may board the Fairfax Connector Bus #151 at on the hour every hour between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.